Auxiliary displays

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary display for displaying pictures and other material in connection with electronic display devices. The auxiliary display is made in a frame attachable to an electronic display such as a monitor, wherein the frame includes an outer member having an opening and a backing for the outer member for suspending a photo against the opening. The suspension can be against a trap door, which is closable by rotatable fasterners against the backing.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/522,886, filed Mar. 10, 2000 in the name of Mark Dwyer. The invention relates to auxiliary displays, and more particularly, to the display of pictorial and other material in connection with electronic displays.

[0002] This invention relates to auxiliary displays, and more particularly to the display of pictorial and other material in connection with electronic displays.

[0003] Another object of the invention is to provide a display that provides ready access to the display.

[0004] A further object of the invention is to provide for display in a fashion that places objects in a decorative arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides for auxiliary displays for a primary display by connecting a structure for making a secondary display to the primary display. The primary display can be of electronic information by an electronic monitor, and the secondary display can be of photographic information.

[0006] The secondary display desirably is made in a frame attachable to the primary display, with the frame including an outer member having an opening, a backing for the outer member for suspending a photograph against said opening. The suspension can be against a trap door, which is closable against the backing.

[0007] The primary display structure can include an outer frame and the frame of the secondary display can be attachable to a portion or the entirety of the outer frame.

[0008] In a method of the invention for making an auxiliary display the steps can include (a) providing for making a secondary display and (b) connecting the secondary display to a primary display providing electronic information. The secondary display can provide photographic information. The primary display can result from the monitoring of electronic information, with the secondary display be of photographic information.

[0009] The secondary display can be made in a frame attachable to the primary display, with the frame including an outer member having an opening and a backing, further including the step of suspending a photograph between the opening and the backing.

[0010] In the method the suspension can be against a trap door in the backing, with a trap door closed against the backing.

[0011] In another aspect of the method primary structure includes an outer frame and the secondary frame is attached to a portion of, or is made coincident with, the outer frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent after considering several illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a monitor for use in accordance with the invention;

[0014]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a monitor of FIG. 1A with an attached monitor display frame in accordance with the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2A is a plan view of the monitor display frame of FIG. 1B.

[0016]FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the monitor display frame of FIG. 2A, taken along the lines 2B-2B;

[0017]FIG. 2C is a back view of the storage frame of FIG. 2A;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the monitor of FIG. 1B and its attached display frame;

[0019]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternative display frame in accordance with the invention; and

[0020]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another alternative display frame in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] With reference to the drawings, the monitor 10 of FIG. 1A displays electronic information I by sweeping a modulated electronic beam against the interior of a picture tube 11 within a frame 12.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1B, the invention provides for the attachment of an auxiliary frame 13 which can be used for the display of items, such as photographs, within one or more openings, such as 14-1 through 14-3.

[0023] An alternative form for the overall frame 13 is illustrated in FIG. 2A, shown in cross-section in FIG. 2B. A back-side view is shown in FIG. 2C. In FIG. 2B, the frame 13 has a frontal member 13-f and a backing 13-b. The opening 14-2 is formed in the frontal member 13-f, and a trap door 13-t 2 is formed in the backing 13-4, as further illustrated in FIG. 2C.

[0024] In FIG. 2C, additional trap doors 13-t 1 and 13-t 3 are shown, with the trap door 13-t 3 partial open against its hinge 13-h 3. All three of the trap doors are closable by rotatable fasteners 15-1 through 15-3, and the backing can be secured to the outer frame 12 by adhesive (not shown) or by fasteners 16-1 and 16-2 of the VELCRO type, where mating hook and mat materials are used, such as those available from Ocean Desert Sales of 5400 Tulip Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19124.

[0025] In FIG. 3 the frame 13 of FIG. 2A is shown mounted on an enlarged monitor 12′.

[0026] An alternative form for the frame 13 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4A where the entry to the openings 14-1 through 14-3 is by way of channels 16-1 through 16-3 that extend from the top edge 17 of the frame 13 to the openings 14-1 through 14-3.

[0027] In a further alternative form for the frame 13 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4B, the trap doors 13-t 1 through 13-t 3 are omitted and the objects to be mounted are press-fit into the openings 14-1 through 14-3.

[0028] In a working model of the invention, the auxiliary frame 13 had a linear base measuring 17 inches and a curved top having a peak measurement of 6.5 inches tapering to a curved left and right edges measuring 5.5 inches to an upper curve.

[0029] It will be understood that the foregoing detailed description is illustrative only and that other modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 

What is claimed:
 1. Apparatus for auxiliary displays, comprising: means having a front surface for making a primary display; and means connectable to said front surface of the primary display means for making a secondary display.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said primary display is of electronic information and said secondary display is of photographic information.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said primary means is an electronic monitor and said secondary display is photographic.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said secondary display is made in a frame attachable to said front surface of said primary means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said frame has an opening in an outer member, a backing for said outer member, and means for suspending a souvenir within said opening.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the suspending means comprises a trap door, and includes means for closing said trap door against said souvenir.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said primary means includes an outer frame and said frame of said secondary display is attachable to a portion of said outer frame.
 8. The method of making an auxiliary display comprising the steps of: (a) providing means for making a secondary display on a front surface of means for making a primary display; and (b) connecting said means for making said secondary display to said means for making said primary display.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said primary display provides electronic information and said secondary display provides photographic information.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said secondary display is made in a frame attachable to said primary means.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said frame includes an outer member having an opening therein, and a backing for said outer member, further including the step of suspending a photograph in said opening and against said backing.
 12. The method of claim 111 wherein the suspension is against a trap door in said backing.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said means for making said secondary display is attached to a portion of said front surface of said means for making said primary display.
 14. Apparatus for making an auxiliary display of pictorial information on a structure having a front surface and top boarder, with said front surface including a first display area, wherein means are connectable to said structure for making said auxiliary display of said pictorial information with respect to said first display area, comprising: a frame having means on a rear surface thereof for securing said frame to said front surface of said structure; said frame having at least one opening for said auxiliary display; and means for securing said auxiliary display against said opening.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said structure is an electronic monitor and said first display area is surrounded within said front surface.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the securing means comprises a trap door permitting said auxiliary display to be secured against said opening.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 further including means for closing said trap door against said opening.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said frame has an upper edge with a passage therefrom to said opening, whereby an auxiliary display may be made through said passage from said upper edge.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said auxiliary display is made by a press fit into said opening of said frame.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said frame covers only a portion of said front surface of said structure. 